Crackling!

fragile_niki · June 06, 2011, 02:05:44 PM

Good day all, just wondering if it's a really bad idea to try dunking a hot bead in water to get a cracked effect on the outer layer or is that a bit of a exploding disaster waiting to happen?
Just wondering if anyone has tried it?
Niki xx

JKC · June 06, 2011, 02:08:48 PM

I have done it a few times a while back, but might have overdone the reheating, so not as crackly is could be, but it looked nice. Janet

fragile_niki · June 06, 2011, 02:11:51 PM

Cool, thanks!

Is it best to go in with the whole bead really hot, or just the surface?
:)xx

elburnzo · June 06, 2011, 02:13:09 PM

Quote from: JKC on June 06, 2011, 02:08:48 PM
I have done it a few times a while back, but might have overdone the reheating, so not as crackly is could be, but it looked nice. Janet

cool, didnt know this was possible, how do u make sure its not just going to fall apart once its cooled? obv u need to anneal it but with so many cracks would it not just fall apart? or am i just being dim?

JKC · June 06, 2011, 06:03:10 PM

Hi Niki,I just used this technique that I found on Ehow, http://www.ehow.com/how_5127873_make-crackle-glass.html I dipped the hole bead in briefly, reheated, repeated a few times.

fragile_niki · June 06, 2011, 09:04:47 PM

ooh, yay! i understand how to do it when blowing glass, but its such a bigger scale that you have a lot more temp controll i think..... as long as the core of the bead is hot it should hold together......hmm- may be time to experiment! it may also be cool if you can coat the bead in a layre of powder colour... it may crack and reveal the undernieth....
i just got some crackeling nail polish you see, and it looks sso cool i wanted to do it on beads!!
pics to come from people please!
niki x

elburnzo · June 07, 2011, 12:16:44 AM

ah ha! i have said crackling nail polish, it is fab!

Dee Dee · June 07, 2011, 02:48:48 AM

I would love to have a go at this, but I would be so worried that they would suddenly break apart!

awrylemming · June 07, 2011, 07:47:52 AM

I made some of these a couple of weeks ago, after drooling over the results of a couple of beads that got dunked. But I didn't keep them as I thought they would be unstable and unsaleable. I think I'll make some more today

fragile_niki · June 07, 2011, 11:45:12 AM

I think the idea is to keep the core of the bead hot and just quench the surface for a second or to, then straight into reheat ( but not too much or you will melt out the cracks) it shouldn't fall apart as long as the cracks don't go right into the bead......
I have some old richenbach rods and hotshot powder, so I will give it a try, if it works-ace!
I love taking lamp working techniques into the hotshot..... Now gonna try the other way round!!!! Can only go one of 2 ways!
Xx